Wheelchair as a nexus: understanding stigma in older adults with stroke in China

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1742686...

Published: 2026-01-13T00:00:00Z

The study investigated how wheelchair design affects stigma in older Chinese adults after stroke and how this affects their rehabilitation and social integration.[4] The research was conducted as a qualitative case study with 15 older adults with stroke, 20 caregivers and 24 members of the public in Hubei, China.[4] The results revealed five main themes: the wheelchair's symbolic influence on personal identity, visual aesthetics, adaptability in everyday life, autonomy in use, and ease of maneuvering.[4] Findings show that wheelchair design can serve as a visible indicator of dependency, but when optimally designed, can instead promote autonomy, dignity and social acceptance.[4] The characteristics of the wheelchair affect not only self-stigmatization and social perception, but also compliance with rehabilitation and quality of life.[4] The authors of the conclusion emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between designers, rehabilitation professionals, and care providers to create assistive solutions without stigma that improve the well-being of older adults after stroke.[4]